Because that is a downright load of garbage. Think before you just accept what some sabermetrics tell you. Anyone who tells me that they think Teixeira will only improve a team by 9 runs over what Kotchman has done is smoking some seriously strong grass. For all that these more advanced stats have brought, this is one of their many drawbacks. People don’t think anymore and just throw out these absurd calculations and try and wave them in your face as proof of anything.

Kotchman’s been around a while, yet he has not done much. He’s hit to a tune of .287/.327/.448, and that’s also about his career average. Tex is a much much much better hitter, and just as good of a fielder. Marek is worthless, IMO. Braves go totally fleeced.

Yes, I believe in sabermetrics, but honestly over an entire regular season, Tex’s home runs alone gives him at least a 9 run advantage. And his OBP? That also works Tex’s way.

I didn’t say he was supposed to be loyal to Atlanta . . .rather, I don’t think the guy has any loyalty whatsoever to anybody other than the team that’s going to be paying him his money, and preferably as much money as possible.

It’s been said on numerous occasions that the Braves made a very substantial offer to Teixeira, which was declined. I’m sure Teixeira would have been willing to sign with the Braves and skip free agency – on the condition that they sign him to a contract on his terms rather than theirs. They were going to have to pay him a significant premium to stay off the market, and considering the Braves probably started in the area of $16-17M per year . . .well, that’s a massive amount of money.

He worked with his agent to avoid being drafted by Tampa Bay, even throwing out the word that he would flat out not sign with the team. He was so blatant about his complete and utter lack of interest in staying with the Rangers (the team that DID give him his money in the first place) that they moved him a year and a half before free agency. He has completely rebuffed any attempt by his teams to sign him to a contract that would avoid free agency, save a couple of situations in which he allowed that he would be willing to accept an absolutely obscene sum of money – and no less.

He’s a hell of a player, but it’s pretty obvious that he is all business, all the time.

I think you are viewing the ex-Braves through very rosy glasses. Here’s my take:

Feliz is quickly becoming an elite talent. (hard to argue)
Andrus projects as an Omar Vizquel type, which means very little offense pre-arbitration.
Harrison has already seen time with Texas and profiles as a number 4/5.
J-Salt has really taken a downturn since once profiling as a 25-HR catcher, now raising questions as to whether he’ll provide a + bat, or be able to stay at the position.

“Feliz is quickly becoming an elite talent.”

I will agree. But he’s also 19. And remember . . .he was traded for an All Star caliber player.

“Andrus projects as a Renteria-type although I’m not sold on him yet.”

Andrus has a .700 OPS. That would make for a personal best over the course of a full season. So . . .yeah. This would make him a utility guy at best in the majors . . .but he’s not doing this in the majors, he’s doing this two levels away from the majors. So I think more than a little restraint is needed here. And you said as much yourself . . .so what’s the problem?

“Harrison has already seen time with Texas and profiles as a number 3.”

I think you mean “profiles as a number 3 if the majors expand to 60 teams”

“J-Salt profiles as a 25 HR C or 1b. Obviously not ending up a C would hurt his value.”

Every time I’ve seen him catch he looks like a disaster. I’ll still buy that the bat can play (and really, at his age, why shouldn’t I?), but personally I think he’s no more than a league average bat at 1B with a below-average glove.

if andrus plays very good defense at short and steals some bases, isn’t he a pretty comparable player to kotchman? kotchman doesn’t hit for power, he doesn’t hit .300, and he’s not even drawing walks this year. basically you have a guy that doesn’t hit enough for his position and plays very good defense. andrus probably won’t hit for a big average when he first comes up, but his steals add some value.

Aside from injuries, OF production has been the Braves’ biggest issue this year. Kotch won’t be a problem at 1B, but if the Braves want to contend, they’re going to need something better than Greg Norton in LF and a significantly better performance from Jeff “I’m having the worst season of any full-time player in the majors” Francoeur.